ELIZABETH CITY (AP) — The agency that reviews accreditation for Elizabeth City State University has warned the historically black college it needs to improve its financial aid practices or it could end up on probation.

An audit by University of North Carolina system officials found the school admitted students who did not qualify and gave financial aid to students who did not properly apply or deserve it.

Elizabeth City State officials say they will implement recommendations made by UNC by the end of the year and that should solve the problems cited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The warning is not as serious as being put on probation.

The school has an enrollment of about 1,600 students.